Police chase meth dealing couple to Hanford

VISALIA – A meth dealing couple led three Visalia police cars on a high speed chase that ended in a foot race just north of Hanford.

Justin Brown29 years old

At 1:20 a.m. on June 12, a Visalia Police Department patrol vehicle located a stolen 2014 Ford Escape traveling west on Goshen Avenue near Mooney Boulevard. When the officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver failed to yield, leading three patrol cars on a pursuit that headed west on Highway 198 and ended just north of Hanford in the 8300 block of 9¼ Avenue. At the beginning of the pursuit a bag of methamphetamine was thrown from the vehicle on Highway 198. When officers recovered the bag it contained nearly 2 ounces of the drug.

Elizabeth Gomez30 years old

The driver, 29-year-old Justin Brown of Visalia, ran from the vehicle along with his girlfriend, 30-year-old Elizabeth Gomez of Ivanhoe. Both suspects were quickly apprehended. Brown was already on felony probation for auto theft and has an outstanding felony warrant for identity theft. Gomez has an outstanding traffic warrant. Both booked into the Adult Pre-Trial Facility on charges of auto theft, possession of stolen property, possession and transportation of methamphetamine for sale, and felony evading. Brown and Gomez were also booked for their outstanding warrants. No injuries or property damage occurred as a result of this incident. The stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner.

Visalia Police Log

Friday, June 8Two men have been arrested for the hit and run of a Farmersville man last week. Sarn Saetern, 26, and Kao Saetern, 26, both of Visalia were arrested for hitting Raul Martinez, 62, of Farmersville while he was running across Mineral King Avenue to help a stranded motorist. Just after 5 a.m. on June 3, Martinez had pulled over his car, got out of his vehicle and was running to the aid of a driver whose car had stalled. The Saeterns allegedly hit him with their car, described as a dark sedan, and fled the scene. Both men were booked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility. Sarn is on parole and was booked for felony hit and run, false report, and a parole hold. Kao is on felony probation and was booked for accessory to the felony hit and run, and a probation violation. The cause of the collision is still under investigation

Monday, June 11At 6:50 a.m. in the area of Santa Fe and Douglas, officers responded to a report of a male running in and out of traffic. The male, later identified as 35-year-old Marcos Salazar, was attempting to stop vehicles. When officers attempted to escort him out of the roadway, Salazar refused and began kicking the officers. Officers used a Taser to try and subdue Salazar but it was ineffective and he continued to resist. Salazar then tried to force his way onto a transit bus but was stopped by officers. Salazar was eventually taken into custody with the assistance of a police K-9. Salazar was booked on charges of being under the influence, resisting an officer, and battery of a peace officer.

At 12:41 a.m. in the 1700 block of E. Mineral King Avenue, officers responded to a disturbance at the Relax Inn Motel. Officers arrived and contacted several people in the parking lot. During the investigation officers located a loaded .40 caliber handgun in a nearby vehicle. Arrested for the gun were 32-year-old Jared Fleeman and 42-year-old Anthony Mayberry. Both men have prior felony convictions prohibiting them from possessing firearms and ammunition. Fleeman and Mayberry were arrested and booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility.